Seven-year-old Gunnar Cheney (center) now holds the record for the largest-ever catfish caught
at Lake Lamar Bruce just outside of Saltillo, Mississippi. (courtesy of MDWFP)
7-Year-Old Catches New Lake-Record Catfish
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
Accolades have poured in for this youngster and his big catch.
When you’re just seven years old, it’s a pretty big deal to catch a catfish that weighs more than 17 pounds. It’s an even bigger deal if the cat you caught sets a new lake record and you are recognized for that.
According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), that’s what happened to 7-year-old Gunnar Cheney while fishing in Lake Lamar Bruce in early July. This 300-acre state fishing lake in Lee County, 1-1/2 miles northeast of Saltillo, is known for its healthy populations of redear sunfish, bluegills and largemouth bass. But what young Gunnar reeled in wasn’t a bass or bream. It was a hard-fighting 17.7-pound catfish instead.
“This achievement by young Gunnar Cheney exemplifies the thrill and excitement of fishing,” said a spokesperson from the MDWFP. “It’s wonderful to see youngsters like him engaging with nature and experiencing the rewards of outdoor activities.”
Record fish are weighed and verified by the lake manager, lake supervisor or fisheries biologist. Like other anglers who catch a lake record, Gunnar will receive a certificate acknowledging his extraordinary catch.
